The Pet Store

I love going to the pet store... the puppies and kitties are so adorable!!! This little one was rescued and on sale thanks to Father's Day. But no worries dad, I didn't buy a dog for me or you for Father's Day ; )

Fishing in Pensacola

I'm not sure how it happened, but somehow I was dragged to Pensacola Beach to go fishing with my roomate Shayne. There were a lot of people there and it was pretty fun. But our catch of the day only consisted of 2 eels and a baby catfish.

Welcome to Correy Station!

Well, I just couldn't stand being in the barracks anymore so I moved into Correy Station for approximately 1 week before I moved into the house. It was pretty nice to have a mini kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom to myself for once!!!

This Weekend

Only one more week... that's what I keep on telling myself. Only one more week until I move out of the barracks and into my house with my two new roomates!! So it only seemed logical that I spend all weekend packing and cleaning my room! I don't know how it got so disasterous within one day, but I fixed that problem. This week is going to be slow... I wanna move now!!!

Making Friends

After graduation day I went... NOWHERE!! Because once again I was put on hold because I reenlisted from Full Support Reserves to Active Duty and my paperwork took forever to go through. Last Friday, May 29, my orders finally popped and I'm going to be stationed in Pensacola for a year! I'm working in the ASR (radar) labs at the ATC school house. So i the meanwhile I've been meeting people, and making friends which is always a plus.

April 3, 2008 - Graduation Day

After 4 and a half months of cramming 3 year's worth of college in Air Traffic Control school, I was awarded my certificate and "pink card" which qualifies me for controlling aircraft. I also get to wear a spiffy rating badge on my uniforms.

Living in P-Cola

Living in Pensacola is fun... although there isn't much to do. Most of the time I enjoy laying on the beach, going to the mall, IHOP, or Walmart, or simply hanging out with friends.

Flying to FL!

On October 25, I finally boarded my flight to Florida... of which the second flight I missed. So I ended up sleeping overnight in the airport in Atlanta. I soon realized how uncomfortable and nearly impossible it was for me to fall asleep curled up in a noisy airport on a hard chair. The next day I checked into NATTC Pensacola, where I would live the next 7 months to train as an Air Traffic Controller (but school was only 4.5 months long).

THU - Temporary Holding Unit

Unfortunately, a few days before I was supposed to leave boot camp for Florida for "A" School, I was told I would be put on hold because they forgot to give me a flight physical. I was very unhappy to say the least. So I spent the next month in THU doing nothing but cleaning and hanging out in Chicago and Wisconsin with my grandparents.

August 4- September 26

The days in boot camp were long and stressful. The first day was the worst. We were all sleep-deprived for the first 48 hours as we all checked into Great Lakes Naval Staion and got familiar with the compatment and our RDCs (Recruit Division Commander). Staying in one compartment with 80 other girls is enough to make a person go crazy. Yet we were mostly busy with activities such as folding clothes, shining shoes, ironing, studying, fire fighting, gas chambers, getting shots, and physical training. But it was all worth it in the end, when I graduated on September 26th and was reunited with my family.

August 4, 2008 - Boot Camp

This was an emotional day... I was anxious to start my new career, but I knew boot camp wouldn't be a walk in the park. Leaving my family was, and still is, the hardest part. But, alas! The little bird must leave it's nest some day. My flight (which was my first plane trip EVER) was delayed a gazillion times due to poor weather in Chicago. Eventually I said my goodbyes and headed onto the plane that would take me to my new life.

Preparing for Departure

I never thought I'd ever have a going away party, but when I joined the Navy it was pretty much decided that I wouldn't be back home for a while. It was nice being able to relax with family and friends with just a few weeks before boot camp.

Swearing like a Sailor...

It was a cold day in early February of 2008, when I walked the deck of the MEPS center in Cleveland, OH to sell my soul to the USA as I was sworn into the United States Navy. To be truthful, I don't remember much of it except that I signed up to be an Air Traffic Controller and said, "I solemly swear..." but it was a leap nonetheless.

The Start...

So this is it... I've decided to create a blog showing what my life in the U.S. Navy is like as everyone keeps asking me, "How's the Navy?" Well this site will show you! Please enjoy and Welcome Aboard!!